Europe proposes new rules on the welfare and traceability of pets

The European Commission has presented a new legislative package on the welfare of dogs and cats, including a new EU standard for breeding, housing and handling of dogs and cats in pet stores, breeding establishments and shelters.

The new proposal has laid out the main points it will address, which involve ensuring minimum common animal welfare standards for breeding. This includes the keeping and placing of dogs and cats bred or kept in establishments on the market.

The legislative text also proposes strict traceability requirements, together with automated checks for the online sale of animals. According to the EU Commission, this will help authorities control the breeding and trade of dogs and cats and buyers to check that the identification and registration process is correct.

Brussels officials expect this new regulation to resolve the divergence between Member States on animal welfare standards for the professional breeding, keeping and selling of dogs and cats.

Countries will have to report every 3 years to the European Commission on the application of the new set of rules.

Online trade and registration

According to official figures, trade in dogs and cats has grown considerably in recent years and now represents an annual value of €1.3 billion ($1.4B).

The proposal establishes a mandatory identification and registration of dogs and cats in national databases to fight illegal trade and better control animal welfare conditions.

The estimated number of pet owners who purchased a cat or dog online is around 60%. Those acquiring an animal through online platforms will now be able to verify the authenticity of the animal. The prospective owner can do this by cross-checking identification and registration through a website connected to national databases.

Reducing animal suffering

Non-EU countries exporting dogs and cats into Europe must also register animals accordingly and fulfill the basic welfare requirements.

The body exporting the animal must provide the person acquiring it proof of its identification and registration and list its vital information, for example, breed, sex, country and date of birth.

Under the stated guidelines, animals kept by breeders and sellers must meet minimum requirements to ensure that their needs are met and that they are healthy when passed to their new owners.

Some conditions that must be adhered to include providing dogs and cats with the necessary quantity and quality food to receive proper nutrition and hydration. In addition, the EU Commission wrote that it is vital to ensure ease of movement and to keep the animal in a safe and clean environment.

Europe also wants to establish stricter limits on the maximum breeding frequency and age of the animals that can be used for breeding.

Next steps

The Federation of Veterinarians (FVE) and other associations recently called EU officials to publish the new proposal.

“The veterinary profession has long been working towards and calling for EU rules to protect the welfare of dogs and cats, including mandatory identification and registration,” says Nancy De Briyne, Executive Director of FVE.

The legislative text will now be submitted to the European Parliament and the Council for consideration. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) will deliver a scientific opinion on the proposed measures by March 2025.